"They hear recommendations from the customers and are able to pass those requests on to me," McGruder added. "For example, now we have a full-fledge setup of organic fruits and vegetables. That idea came from the baggers.

"They provide a lot of hands-on touches for the customers, because they know the customers," McGruder stated. "They provide that personalized service that's important."

Baggers have been present in military commissaries dating back to the mid-1950s, and, consequently, customers have come to expect to see baggers hard at work in stores.

The bagger position is open to anyone -- students, spouses, Soldiers and retirees; however, baggers are neither government nor Commissary employees. Rather, they are self-employed licensees of the installation commander. In other words, they are voluntarily "hired" by the customer to bag and carry out groceries in return for a tip, which is their sole means of payment for a job well done.

"You can make a couple hundred dollars a day very easily, especially if you have the smile, the charisma and the positive attitude," McGruder said. "But, sometimes, customers forget to tip the baggers, and that's a shame, because being a bagger is hard work, and they should be paid for the services."

"It's a great place for spouses or dependents to work, and it's a great place for students to work if they're trying to pay off college tuition," said Jeremy Nichols, a bagger who works at the commissary, here, to earn extra money to help pay for his studies at Hawaii Pacific University.

"I'm using (this job) to make a little money to eat and to pay my school bills," Nichols said. "I have two other jobs, but this is my fun job."

While having a little extra cash stowed away is nice, the professional experience commissary baggers gain is priceless.

"This job is really a developmental job," said McGruder, who himself began his career within the commissary as a bagger.

The screening process to become a commissary bagger is conducted through the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii. Those interested may contact 808-656-0083 or 808-656-0102.